Looking to start ministry with artists? Here are some essential things to know compiled by the leaders of InterVarsity Arts Ministry:
1. Build trust with artists (Things to know about artists)
- Their art/craft is connected to their identity.
- Their art/craft is an expression of themselves.
- Understand their call to their art & their art department
2. Understand art department culture
- Grades for their work are judged by their professor and their peers. Evaluation of their work is subjective and highly competitive.
- Visual art students have extra long hours of classes; studio classes are often 3 hours long on top of their regular core courses, and time outside of class is required until a professor is satisfied with their work (varies greatly from project to project).
- Performing artists have extensive practice time that factors into their grades. For example, a one-credit class for a lesson means 4-6 hrs/day of practice time, in addition to required rehearsals and shows/performances they are required to attend.
- Professors can call mandatory rehearsals outside of class time, performances, and trips at any point, including evenings, weekends, and even school breaks.
- Each different art department has a different culture.
3. Effective strategy & structure for arts ministry will be different than the traditional ME IV chapter, LG & SG. Creative people need creative solutions.
- The strategy & structure of an arts ministry needs to be flexible for busy artists who might miss two or three gatherings, but still feel they’re a part of the community.
4. Spiritual Resistance
…from their art department & classmates can create high emotional stress. Artists need prayer and emotional support from their staff and faith community.
5. Developing artist apprentices
to lead a witnessing community inside their art department:
- Often arts leaders can’t make IV leadership training. A one-on-one appointment is one of the key ways staff can develop arts apprentices.
- Discipleship Cycles are one of the key ways of developing Leaders and Apprentices. Key topics include:
Engaging your network with the Gospel
Training in Network mapping, prayer walking in their place of influence, thresh-holds of conversion, GIG training, Gospel training, initiating trust-building spiritual conversations, etc.
Vision
Training in knowing the vision (dreaming), sharing the vision with friends and inviting them to respond (vision casting), and embodying the vision in their departments.
Hearing God’s voice
helping artists respond in obedience to God’s leadership in their department and in their craft. It is key for students to learn how to hear God’s voice over competing voices (professors, peers, inner critic, etc.) through Scripture, listening prayer, etc.
Jesus’ Lordship of their craft
Training in Network mapping, prayer walking in their place of influence, thresh-holds of conversion, GIG training, Gospel training, initiating trust-building spiritual conversations, etc.
Spiritual Authority
Developing students in a strong identity in Christ, awareness of their spiritual gifts, and the power of the Holy Spirit. They need to know that they walk into their departments with His authority and power (greater than the authority of their professors and peers) and that they do not need to be afraid of rejection or the outcome when they are advancing God’s purposes.
For more information and resources, visit InterVarsity Arts Ministry.
